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A Message from Our Head of School and President of the Board of Trustees
We are excited to present to you the goals and vision included in our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.
As the Academy enters its 54th year, we grow by building on the strategic plans of the past. We must continuously evolve to meet the needs of our students while delivering the highest academic standards; to instill the values of Derech Eretz - respect, responsibility, and integrity - developing moral character and Jewish identity; and to ensure financial sustainability, strategic governance, and strong leadership.
Our new strategic plan is an ambitious 3-year plan, as opposed to previous plans, which were 5-10 years long. Our aim is to be more adaptable to an ever-changing world. The lessons of the last few years have shown us that we must be ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
We thank the many stakeholders who were consulted, including parents, staff, alumni, and other community members, who provided valuable insights that helped us to establish the strategic priorities and direction for Solomon Schechter Academy. We are grateful for the steadfast leadership of the Strategic Planning Committee, in particular, Melanie Weinstock, Daniel Ehrenfeld, and Julien Marais, in guiding this important plan to fruition.
With your help and support, we will do our part to hand over to the next generation, as our new vision states, a school that provides our students with the tools to achieve academic success, the guidance to become confident individuals engaged in their education, and the foundation to become leaders in Quebec and beyond, while instilling within each child a strong moral character, a meaningful Jewish identity, and a sense of community. MiDor, LeDor! From Generation to Generation!
Founded in 1969, Solomon Schechter Academy (SSA) is proud to be the largest mainstream private Jewish elementary and preschool in Montreal. Educating more than 400 children annually, Solomon Schechter Academy lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and instills a passion for excellence and Jewish traditions. The Academy’s educational process is a vibrant partnership between students, parents, and educators, beginning with Junior Pre-K at age three, continuing through elementary school graduation at age twelve.
With a strong history and mission as our guide, in 2022 we undertook the goal of delivering a fresh and relevant Strategic Plan to guide Solomon Schechter Academy from 2023-2026.
Formulating such a plan was an ambitious endeavour, led by the Strategic Planning Committee, and supported by many stakeholder groups in the SSA community. Current and past parents, staff members, and recent alumni shared their first-hand experiences through confidential surveys, while open-forum discussions held with current parents, and a review of feedback from prospective future parents, established common themes which helped to form the key priorities for the strategic plan.
From these priorities, a new vision and a four-pillar strategic plan was established. The Academy’s mission remains, as well as the six core values established during the previous strategic plan. Each pillar includes a number of related priorities and commitments to our community. The administration, strategic planning committee, and Board of Trustees have identified the tasks and key performance indicators that are required in order to achieve the priorities of each pillar within the strategic plan. Progress will be measured regularly throughout each school year and reported to the community annually.
Vision, Mission, and Values
At the heart of Solomon Schechter Academy’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 is a focus on preparing our students for the future. Our aim is to build on our strengths and address areas where we strive to improve – all centered on a new vision that reinforces our current mission and values.
Vision
To provide our students with the tools to achieve academic success, the guidance to become confident individuals engaged in their education, and the foundation to become leaders in Quebec and beyond, while instilling within each child a strong moral character, a meaningful Jewish identity, and a sense of community.
Mission
Solomon Schechter lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and instills a passion for excellence and Jewish traditions.
Values
The following core values guide our decision-making and behaviour throughout all elements of our school:
Respect, Integrity, Responsibility, Tikkun Olam, Innovation, Excellence
Strategic Pillars 2023-2026
Excellent Multilingual Education with a Whole-Child ApproachSolomon Schechter Academy's dedication to excellence extends beyond academic achievement to encompass the holistic development of every child. Through a whole-child approach to education, we are committed to creating a learning environment that nurtures student's social-emotional, physical, and cognitive growth, preparing them to thrive as engaged citizens and successful contributors to our global community.
Derech EretzAs a school community, we are committed to instilling the Jewish values of Derech Eretz - respect, responsibility, and integrity - into the fabric of everything we do. By committing to Derech Eretz as a strategic priority, we are not only cultivating strong character traits in our students, but also preparing them to become compassionate leaders who will positively impact the world around them.
Financial Sustainability
We are committed to ensuring that future generations of Jewish children will have the opportunity to experience the excellence of a Solomon Schechter education. Our obligation to future students and parents is to make certain that our school possesses the human resources, intellectual acuity, and financial capital needed for long-term financial sustainability and operational excellence, to continue fulfilling our mission.
Strategic Governance and Leadership
Solomon Schechter Academy has benefitted from a long history of inspiring and exceptional leadership, both within the school administration and among the volunteer leadership. Professionals who are passionate about our school and have expertise in a variety of fields join together to continuously raise the bar in the pursuit of a common goal: providing our youth with an exceptional Jewish and secular education. Solomon Schechter Academy is dedicated to developing our strategic governance and leadership in order to deliver on its mission and ensure the highest quality education for its students.